THE “SHAKARIM” JOURNAL — 20 YEARS!

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the publication of the first issue of the scientific and educational journal Shakarim, launched at the initiative of Shäkärim University. This is a significant date that influenced not only the development of a single publication but also the formation of an entire scientific field.

Founded in 2004, the journal gave new momentum to Kazakh spiritual culture with its very first issues. The founders of the publication were well-known scholars and public and cultural figures Erlan Sydykov and Turdykul Shangbai. Thanks to their initiative and leadership, the journal opened the way for the systematic development of a new field in Kazakhstani science — Shakarim studies (shakarimtanu).

The journal regularly publishes articles dedicated to the comprehensive study of the life and work of the great thinker, poet, and philosopher Shäkärim Qudayberdiuly, as well as analyses of his philosophical and ethical views in the context of modern times.

Over the past twenty years, the journal’s content and scope have significantly expanded, turning it into an authoritative academic publication covering such fields as regional studies, Abai studies, Alash studies, museology, philosophy, as well as literature and the arts. It features not only the research of experienced scholars but also works by young researchers and writers.

The journal also consistently addresses relevant issues of Kazakh literature and culture, as well as topics related to historical figures and the national idea.

In recent years, the Shakarim journal has served as the foundation for the publication of the multi-volume collection Issues of Shakarim Studies and the large-scale scholarly work — the Shakarim encyclopedia. Today, these works are regarded as the scientific basis of Shakarim studies.

Thanks to the joint efforts of the journal and university scholars, the study of Shäkärim’s creative legacy has reached a new level.

As part of the anniversary events, a presentation was held for the new book A Spring Called Shakarim, published with the participation of the newly reopened Shäkärim Studies Research Center. This work aims to introduce the general public to the spiritual world of the great figure, his moral principles, and his place within the global intellectual space.

The publication was released with the support of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the Russian Federation. This is a vivid example of the spiritual ties and scientific and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

The academic and cultural event dedicated to the anniversary was attended by the university administration, faculty members, scholars, and researchers.

During the event, the twenty-year history of the journal and its achievements were reviewed, and its contribution to the development of Kazakh science and culture was highlighted in detail.

Speakers emphasized the special importance of the Shakarim journal in reviving national spirituality and developing scholarly thought.

Over its twenty-year history, the Shakarim journal has become a platform where academic thought and national identity converge. It is not merely a publication, but a spiritual school that unites the national idea, the Kazakh spirit, science, and art.